The morning after the day before......

Christmas. Or more significantly in terms of illness... Boxing Day.  The day where PEM (Post Exertional Malaise) hits people who suffer from M.E like a freight-train. Just the thought of Christmas... and the energy required to exude some sense of festivity,....can be enough to send the health of an ME'er, spiralling. Then there is the actual day itself.  Post Exertional Malaise is what hits us after. It is that sense of impending doom, of a sickness to the bottom of our stomachs, of exhaustion that can penetrate our bones...... this can be despite many happy memories the day before, lovely experiences, a thrill for our children, happy moments, tasty food. This is completely isolated. This is NOT a 'depression', because we are sad. This is a direct and hard-hitting response to having over-exerted, if not physically, emotionally. THIS is part of M.E. An invisible part of an invisible illness. It can have a delayed action, and can hit for hours/days after. This is the time when MEeps (people with M.E) need gentle support and care, time to rest, and to find their strength to get through. 

Yes we love the photos if we have them! We (often) love the memories if we have experienced those too... but now, out of love, please give us quiet time to gather our strength to push through our Post Exertional Malaise. (A bit like giving birth, getting through the last bit is the most important).

With loving hugs xxxxx